I teach English and I write, mostly about horse racing, for the Blood-Horse, New York Breeder, the Saratogian, Hello Race Fans!, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, The Racing Biz, and the Brooklyn Heights Blog. My work has also appeared in the Daily Racing Form, Thoroughbred Times, the New York Daily News, and BelmontStakes.com. A former and erstwhile resident of Saratoga Springs, New York, I’ve lived in Brooklyn for more than a decade, and when I’m not teaching or writing, I’m watching the Rangers at the Garden, playing Scrabble, or rescuing cats.

2009 Horse Of The Year Rachel Alexandra In "Serious" Condition After Complications Following Foaling

Stonestreet Farm reported late Wednesday night that 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra had been taken to Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky following foaling complications.

Rachel Alexandra foaled a filly early Tuesday morning, reported by the farm to have weighed 140 pounds, the biggest foal of the year so far at Stonestreet. The filly is by Bernardini, champion three-year-old colt in 2006.

Dr. Brett Woodie of Rood and Riddle performed surgery to repair an area of bruising in Rachel Alexandra’s small colon. According to a press release issued by the farm, “a full prognosis cannot be determined at this time, but [Rachel Alexandra’s] condition is serious.”

Last year, following the birth of her first foal, a colt, Rachel Alexandra also spent time at Rood and Riddle for what was described as a precautionary measure for pain management after her delivery. She and the colt were back at the farm within a few days.

The colt, now a yearling, was named Jess’s Dream for the late Jess Jackson, founder of Kendall-Jackson wines and Stonestreet Farm. In May 2009, Jackson privately purchased Rachel Alexandra following her jaw-dropping 20-length victory in the Kentucky Oaks. The purchase price was not disclosed but is believed to be in the neighborhood of $5 million.

Since Jackson’s death in April 2011, his wine interests and the farm have been overseen by his widow, Barbara Banke.

In 2009, Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness Stakes, Haskell Invitational Stakes, and Woodward Stakes, all against males, en route to being voted Horse of the Year, the first three-year-old filly in more than 50 years to win that honor. She earned $3,506,730.

Rachel Alexandra’s performances on the racetrack made her one of the most popular horses in recent history. In retirement, she has continued to be a favorite as Stonestreet Farm has engaged in a number of social media and fan engagement initiatives, including inviting fans to the farm to meet the mare last year.

Said Banke in the release, “We are solely focused on making sure Rachel is as comfortable as possible. She is showing the same strength and courage now that she demonstrated on the track. Our hearts are broken by this turn of events and I can only ask that you send your thoughts and prayers to Rachel now.”

According to Alex Riddle, spokesperson for Rood and Riddle, Rachel Alexandra woke up from anesthesia at about 3 a.m. today and is in a recovery barn at the hospital. In a brief interview on HRTV, he offered no further updates on her condition beyond noting that her condition is “serious and stable,” adding, “It helps that she has the heart of a champion. You can see that she’s a fighter. She’ll do well, we hope.”

Post Your Comment

Post Your Reply

Forbes writers have the ability to call out member comments they find particularly interesting. Called-out comments are highlighted across the Forbes network. You'll be notified if your comment is called out.